Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, addressed the closing ceremony of the three-day Leadership Excellence Workshop organized by the Pakistan Institute of Development Economics (PIDE), stating that training programs in any field serve as an essential tool for enhancing professional capabilities. He emphasized that leadership is not an inborn trait but is cultivated through training, vision, and a continuous process of learning.
The Minister observed that society continues to face a shortage of effective and competent leadership, primarily due to the lack of comprehensive and impactful policy direction within the education system. He remarked that successful leadership is defined not merely by punctuality, but by commitment to a clear mission and purpose. According to him, only ten percent of effective leadership consists of technical expertise, while ninety percent comprises public engagement and soft skills.
Referring to the colonial education system introduced in 1835, Professor Ahsan Iqbal noted that it was designed to produce a mindset of subordination, and regrettably, it has largely remained unchanged. He stressed that a true leader does not become part of stagnation but acts as a catalyst for positive societal transformation. Bringing improvement within systems and introducing meaningful reforms, he said, are fundamental responsibilities of good leadership. He further underlined that effective leaders ensure their institutions remain aligned with external changes and emerging technologies.
The Minister highlighted that in today’s world, nations and institutions succeed by identifying talent and utilizing it effectively. Institutions must move beyond outdated practices and embrace innovation and creativity. The core role of leadership, he said, is to unite people, promote positive thinking, and harness collective strength. He expressed confidence that the three-day workshop would contribute positively to the institutional and professional growth of the participants and hoped that PIDE would continue to evolve as a leading institution driving research-based policy reforms and societal change.
The three-day workshop was attended by professionals from federal and provincial ministries, public sector institutions, and members of academia, including scholars and researchers from various universities. Speaking on the occasion, Vice Chancellor PIDE, Dr. Nadeem Javaid, termed the workshop a meaningful and significant opportunity and reaffirmed that similar high-quality training programs would continue in the future. He reiterated the commitment to strengthening PIDE as a credible and effective policy advisory institution capable of providing practical and implementable recommendations.
